EMAILS containing private and highly sensitive medical information have been accidentally sent to students at Godalming College.

Documents intended for staff, featuring the names of students with physical, mental or learning difficulties, as well as details of their conditions, were emailed to a list of lower sixth students on Monday (April 4).

Details such as family histories, child protection issues, and eating disorders were leaked, causing the college to shut down the internal email system in an attempt to retrieve the emails.

The college said it was "deeply apologetic" for the mistake.

A spokesman said: "The college has an excellent Learning Support department with a proven track record in identifying different kinds of learning needs, helping students to overcome their difficulties so that they can succeed in their exams.

"Unfortunately, by mistake, a confidential list of students and a headline summary of learning needs was issued by email to a wider group of students."

"This list provides only such relevant personal information as to help our teachers support students academically."

The Information Commissioner's Office said it was making inquiries into whether the incident has breached the Data Protection Act.

For more on this story, including reactions from students, see this Friday's Godalming edition of the Surrey Advertiser, out on Friday, April 8.